Cyber Security Bill Stalled… But Sponsors Still Push On

Cyber security continues to be an ongoing challenge with no easy answers…

Earlier this month, the senate failed to pass a bill known as the Cybersecurity Act of 2012. The sponsors of the bill are still pressing the issue with Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) sending a letter to the CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies asking for their input regarding cybersecurity.

The Hill quotes Rockefeller as saying,

“I would be surprised to learn that many other American companies, most of which recognize that what is good for their bottom lines is also good for the country’s national and economic security, are as intransigently opposed to our cybersecurity legislative efforts as the Chamber of Commerce has indicated they are,” Rockefeller wrote.

Unquestionably, cyber security is an issue that needs to be addressed.

One of the biggest challenges related to broad-sweeping legislation is that, while all companies should be aware of cyber risks, their needs and the protections they should have are different.

The risks associated with a small business owner having their customers’ confidential data, like names, addresses, credit card information, drivers license or social security number, compromised is vastly different than a large company like GoDaddy who recently experienced a denial of service attack.

And, the government’s need to provide protection for national security is even different still.

There is no question that cyber security is a major issue. The biggest question is, what will a breach of cyber security do to your company?